Disciples for Christ International Ministry

C. Paul Wooderson

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VICTORIOUS LIFE, Part 2

5. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6. To be carnally (governed by human nature) minded is death, but spiritually minded is life and peace. 7. Because the carnal mind is (at) enmity (the opposite of love) against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8. They are in the flesh (sinful or godless) and cannot please God. 9. But ye (you) are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God (dwells) in you. Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Romans 8:5-9

What kind of life do you want to live? Do you want to live a life that focuses only on your desires, or a life that focuses on what God wants you to be?

“Paul’s primary purpose in writing the Book of Romans was to teach the great truths of the gospel of grace” (which means unmerited favor). Paul was writing “to believers who had never received” the teachings of the Apostles.  -John MacArthur-

Romans 3:20 says Therefore by the deeds of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in his sight . . .  Jeremiah 17:9 says the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.

(“Weak” may be a more accurate word than “wicked). Non-believers are under the authority of their sinful human natures. Doing good deeds does not make us justified in God’s sight. To be justified is to have a right relationship with God which comes by faith in His Son Jesus Christ.

How can we live a victorious life? Our focus must be on Jesus and His Holy Spirit must live within us. The Bible says, they (who) are after the Spirit do the things that are spiritually minded. The Bible also says, to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Someone said the man whose life is under the control of the Spirit finds, that his conscious interests lie more in spiritual things. Being dominated by the interest of the Spirit is more than the hope of life and peace. It is because we already have them although not perfectly.

In the Bible, “life” Is regularly used to describe (the) experience of “communion with God.” In the New Testament, the word “communion” is often used as a synonym for “salvation.”

Many years ago, I had a vision that was a life-changing experience. Within, the result of that experience, changed who I am today. I think it is our human nature to want to have control of our lives. For me, I know that was true! However, when I had that vision, I realized there was no way I could please God without giving Him control of my life. When I made the promise to the Lord “take me and use me. I will go where you want me to go.” At that moment, tears of joy flowed heavily down my face. Within peace and joy came into my soul. That peace and joy is just as real today, as it was more than eleven years ago.

DO YOU WANT TO LIVE IN THE FLESH AND EXPERIENCE DEATH, or DO YOU WANT TO LIVE A SPIRITUALLY MINDED LIFE AND HAVE AN ETERNAL LIFE?

IT IS A DECISION THAT ONLY YOU CAN MAKE!

-All Scripture passages are based on the King James Version-

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